Nats' fresh face: 59 and in for long haul

WARREN TRUSS is set to take over the leadership of the
Nationals, despite a plea for generational change by the outgoing
leader, Mark Vaile, who is eight years younger than Mr Truss.

Mr Truss, 59, the outgoing Minister for Trade and the party's
deputy leader, said he would stand for the leadership after the
frontrunner, Peter McGauran, suddenly withdrew his candidacy.

Mr McGauran, the outgoing Minister for Agriculture, had been
endorsed by Mr Vaile and was expected to take the top job
uncontested. He told the Herald yesterday that he had
decided to move on after 18 years on the Coalition's front
bench.

"The new leader of a decimated National Party has to commit for
one or possibly two terms, which is an undertaking I cannot give at
this time," he said.

The Nationals had their worst electoral performance on Saturday,
winning only 10 seats in the House of Representatives. On Monday,
the party was thrown into more turmoil by Mr Vaile's surprise
announcement that he was stepping down.

The outspoken senator Barnaby Joyce, who had considered standing
against Mr McGauran, said yesterday he did not intend to contest Mr
Truss.

"It will be great to see this position returned to Queensland
after a long period away," he said. "With the upcoming state
election, it is essential that Queensland plays a major role in the
re-establishment of conservative politics in Australia."

Mr Truss said yesterday that he was "in for the long haul" and
believed the party needed a mix of youth and experience.

"I still have a lot of good years ahead of me," he said. "I'm
still in my 50s, if the latter half of my 50s. I think I can make a
significant contribution for quite a long time into the
future."

Mr Truss would not back a candidate for deputy leader but said
he hoped it would be a younger member.

Possible contenders, all from NSW, include Luke Hartsuyker, the
MP for Cowper; John Cobb, the MP for Parkes, and Kay Hull, the MP
for Riverina.

"When you lose an election you don't have much generational
renewal," Mr Truss said. "The good people we put forward to be a
part of the future of the party were not all elected. Our election
result was not good and we have considerable rebuilding to
undertake."

Mr Truss, the MP for the central Queensland coast seat of Wide
Bay, said he had concerns about Labor's industrial relations policy
and wanted to support the farming and mining sectors, although he
accepted human activity had contributed to climate change.

"We need to be able to demonstrate to people in regional areas,
in sea-change areas that we will be an effective voice for
them," he said.

Asked about his leadership style, he said: "It takes more than
just razzle-dazzle; it takes substance."

The party, which is still hopeful of clawing back Labor's lead
in the Gladstone seat of Flynn, will hold the leadership ballot on
Monday.

1196036983958-smh.com.auhttp://www.smh.com.au/news/national/nats-fresh-face-59-and-in-for-long-haul/2007/11/28/1196036983958.htmlsmh.com.auSydney Morning Herald2007-11-29Nats' fresh face: 59 and in for long haulJonathan PearlmanNationalhttp://www.smh.com.au/ffximage/2007/11/28/th_truss_thumb_index-thumb__60x40.jpg